27/02/04
WHITEWASH!
What you paint a wall with? Not this time. I'm referring to
Newark CAMRA's triumph at what looks like becoming an annual
challenge against the Old Malt Shovel RATS to celebrate
National Pubs Week. I shouldn't gloat, but it's not often
the lads from NC win 'owt. Except for the odd raffle prize,
we've been trounced time and time again by the likes of
Nottingham, Mansfield and Vale of Belvoir CAMRA and of
course, the RATS, at darts, doms, skittles and anything else
we've been stupid enough to put ourselves through.
Imagine, then, our perceived chances when we turned up at
the 'Shov with just two darts players and no table skittles
players in our 'squad' of six! But against all odds, we won
every game. I'll just say that again.. EVERY game! Whether
it was just luck, help from God, or just the effect of the
excellent beer we care not.
After a victory lap around the bar, Landlord Tim Purslow
generously fed everybody with a curry supper which was
second to none, and we just had time to wash it down with
another pint of Outlaws Body Warmer at last orders. A most
excellent evening - belly fully of beer, curry and a result!
The Old Malt Shovel, Newark CAMRA's Pub of the Year 2002 has
recently been awarded the Cask Marque plaque and serves a
good selection of real ales.
Warmest thanks for Tim's hospitality, and looking forward to
next year's match.
20/01/04
CAMRA today announced the finalists for the prestigious
National Pub of the Year competition, with the overall
winner being declared in National Pubs Week - 21st to 28th
February 2004.
This year's four finalists are as follows:
- The Taps, Lytham St Anne's
- The Marquis of Granby, Granby, Notts
- The Crown & Thistle, Gravesend, Kent
- The South Western Arms, St Denys, Southampton
The Marquis of Granby successfully beat regional winners,
the Beartown Tap (Congleton, Cheshire), Star Inn (Lockwood,
Yorkshire) and the Bell (Pensax, Worcestershire) to book
their place in the final.
According to the Good Beer Guide this pub is 'believed to be
the original Marquis of Granby, dating back to 1760 or
earlier. This is a small, two-roomed pub that has served
over 300 different ales in the last year. York stone floors
throughout complement naturally-shaped yew bar tops in
beamed rooms. The wide range of beers usually includes a
mild.'
This pub has risen rapidly from near extinction to become a
finalist in the National Pub of the Year competition.
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18/12/03
Newark CAMRA's current Pub of the Year, The Old Malt
Shovel, has just been awarded the Cask
Marque plaque. The landlord, Tim Purslow was sponsored
by Interbrew.
28/11/03
Oldershaw's Newton's Drop available at the Castle!
Maypole brewery promised next week.
20/11/03
The Castle, situated next door to the 'Rock the Kasbar'
nightclub has opened, advertising itself as 'a traditional
alehouse'. The landlord told Newark CAMRA, before its
opening, that he would dedicate one of his two hand pumps to
a beer supplied by a local microbrewery.
Despite this, the two beers available on opening (and
ever since) were national brands Black Sheep Best and
Green King IPA. "I chose them because you don't get
them around here" he told a branch representative! Full
report to follow...
10/11/03
The Vine Hotel, on Barnby Gate, has introduced a real ale
night on Mondays, when all cask beers are priced £1 a pint.
Beers available on first visit were Springhead Bitter,
Leveller, or Roaring Meg, plus Nethergate IPA.
30/08/03
The inter-branch quiz night was well attended, with at
least four branches being represented. Winners were the Vale
of Belvoir. Is there anything these guys aren't good at?
22/08/03
The Spring House has reopened and, despite Newark CAMRA
being told to the contrary by Heritage, it is displaying
three hand pumps on the bar. Full report to follow shortly.
08/07/03
Work has started on both the Spring House and Newark
Arms.
23/06/03
The Woolpack, on Stodman St, is currently closed for
refurbishment.
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21/06/03
Local landlords are being offered a new piece of kit
called the 'Jet Tap'. This gadget will top up a
short-measured pint by injecting a tight frothy head into
it. One landlord told us that it was demoed to him on a
glass of water! This gadgets are only for use on keg
products, but it is something that needs watching.
21/06/03
Our reporters understand that Pennant Inns have been
taken over by Heritage. The company have pledged to reopen
all their acquisitions that are currently closed, so that
will include the Spring House and Newark Arms. Watch this
page for further developments.
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